A few of my favorite things, food and fashion from NYC

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Hey there blogosphere! Long time no post huh? I know it’s been awhile but I wanted to tell you about this place I just ate at this weekend in NYC, called The Little Beet Table. Now I discovered this place via Instagram and immediately thought of some peeps I know that are gluten free. Have a friend in from AK made this a great occasion to try it. If you have ever tried to eat a GF diet you know it can be a bit challenging to find places let alone dishes that met your dietary requirements. Some people have to for health reasons, but I am not a health blog so about this place…

The Little Beet is located along Park ave, nestled between building and fairly non-descript. The premise is that the menu is influenced by what is in season and healthy vegetables and whole foods. (Not going to lie I was a bit dubious, until I looked at the menu and was sold on the sweet potato toast) The interior is the same, simple and straight forward. Menu covered the basics and then some, and don’t worry meat eaters there are some meats on the menu.

So my friend and I went in and ordered the banana bread with hazelnut butter, sweet potato toast, maple French toast and the roasted sweet potatoes. Course I love me some taters (in like any format) so I was like a pig in shit. Not only was the service friendly and on point so was the food. I mean honestly I think neither one of noticed that we ate a mostly vegetarian meal. The banana bread was delish, light, creamy and not to banana-y if you know what I mean. My French toast was AHHHHHMAZING, covered in syrup and crème fraiche. I think they used the banana bread as the base and I’m mad I never thought of it. I also got the roasted sweet potatoes with sea salt and olive oil. HOLY COW, I think it will be my new go to for cooking them. Everything was fresh, clean and seasoned just right and not over powering.

Overall I’d say 4 out of 5 forks, simply because of the sweet potatoes. Even if you aren’t GF give it a try and see before you knock it.

Thanks to the three day weekend I was able to meet up with some of the crew for seafood this Sunday. Being that we live in NYC and there are a bevy of places to check out it took some time to narrow it down, but we decided on Cajun Sea Seafood & Oyster bar in midtown. Part was location as many of us live in different boros and if you’ve ever been on the subway on a weekend you know how tedious it can be to get around thanks to all the track work. So on Sunday we gathered…

Now the place is fairly non-descript and located on a street that doesn’t see much traffic, but that means less people. Now the idea is that they offer Cajun style dining, and having grown up in the bayou I think I have a good grasp on Cajun food. My whole reason for picking this place was that they offer crayfish (or crawdads) depending on how you get down. I grew up on these little tasty morsels and are a summertime staple if I ever met one. Imagine miniature lobsters, nom nom nom. Sadly they don’t carry etouffee.. Now the inside is heavy wood, and nautical nonsense, nets, lighthouse lights, brass, and that jazz. I mean if you’ve been in a Joe’s Crab Shack you know what I mean. The back wall with the menu has a giant lobster on it…

So because the crew and I get down we got appetizers, oysters on the half shell and mussels in a spice tomato sauce (say that with an Italian accent!) and for the main course I got the crab and crawfish boil (Cajun style), someone got the gumbo, another seafood pasta, and jambalaya. And like most seafood places they bring bibs, trash cans, shell crackers, and even gloves. I was too much of a fatass to deal with gloves or a bib and dove right in. Spicy….Oh shit I wasn’t ready (Kevin Hart voice) like there was legit a kick to the Cajun seasoning even on mild. Most places say Cajun and kill it in red pepper, no which is NOT how you do it. Google Paul Prudhomme and you will learn about Cajun cooking. The crab wasn’t over cooked and the shells were crackable, not soft and pliable. Everything was well seasoned and just the right amount of heat and flavor. Not sure about the other dishes as I was waaaaay to focused on mines to pay much attention to anything else. But from the sounds and looks, it appeared that everyone else enjoyed their dishes as well. And to round out the meal we naturally ordered dessert. Also a friend just broke up so they wanted to go full kilt, and who am I to say no to dessert. Crème brulee and beignets along with coffee is what we got and shared. Coffee was eh, weak and the brulee was decent but slightly watery. The crust was well done and the flavor was good, just that it didn’t seem to have set very well. Now ive never had actually beignets, but these were reminiscent of say zeppole’s or loukoumades. Basically fried dough dusted with powered sugar. Um yes please!

Overall we had a good time, much to the disdain of some of the other patrons (because we are a bit loud….) and the food was good. Service was decent but wasn’t all that attentive. Overall 3.5 out of 5 forks, and they have happy hour EVERY day. Good for a quick whetting for Cajun, but now I want to go to New Orleans for the real deal….

Food+Technology….two of my favorite things. Thanks to the ‘gram I came across a sponsored post for this shindig and was like hmmmmm que es esto? So to Google I went and found a press release with the below info “Food Loves Tech will allow the public to taste and touch, and see and smell, how technology is transforming our food chain. And to understand what it means for our future,” says Brian Halweil, Editor in Chief of Edible Manhattan, as well as sister titles Edible Brooklyn, Edible East End and Edible Long Island, all part of the national network of Edible magazines.

The premise is getting us to understand how pervasive technology really is becoming in our lives even when it comes to food production. So there is also a competition and the layout walks you through a little tour showing the different areas impacted. The event is from 6/10 to 6/12 with a special VIP event on 6/10. The VIP is two parts, one that’s like an open gallery and the other a dinner. Cant afford the $100, don’t sweat it as its open to the public on the 11th. Sounds like a good way to spend a summer weekend in NYC, right?

So in an effort to bring you more content I went brunching this past Saturday with a friend. We went to Maysville over on 26th in the Flatiron area and I must say, its definitely a little gem. Pretty obscure as there was just a small sign above the place, very kinda speak easyish. Which given that they are a whiskey joint (also a huge part as to why I picked it). So the interior is very straightforward with the exception of the bar, which kind of made me think of the grand bars you used to find say circa 1940’s and earlier. Wood, marble and glass to give it that refined industrial feel, which if you read the ditty on the site its named after the port that shipped out some whiskey.

So my friend ordered the Chef’s breakfast which entailed eggs and meat and I got the French toast. We both had been drinking the night prior so we needed some heavy starches to bind to the alcohol. I got regular coffee which had a nice chicory taste, great to cut though the syrup. I topped off my meal with roasted potatoes, and sweet babay jesus they were soooooo tasty. The French toast was a thick brioche covered with ricotta and fruit compote. Super tasty and flavors worked well together and it was more than enough to leave us filled. And did I mention the potatoes? Must be an Eastern European thing, because I can’t get enough of potatoes, and these were small reds roasted with a hint of salt. Like I would go back just for those bad boys.

Overall we both agreed we’d go back as it was super chill and the ambiance was pretty low key which is nice. Plus the food was delish so I’d say 4 out of 5 forks. So if you’re in the Flatiron area go peep it.

Today had me all “Where’s the Beef?” (Gen X and older will get that reference). So for lunch I decided to take myself out and partake in some quality beef products courtesy of Zaitzeffs. I love that it was super simple and straight forward no frills kinda place, plus everything is humanly raises sans antibiotics and crap. And yea I’m about that clean eating life ya dig? So cheeseburger and fries is what I got. Took about 10 minutes and well worth the wait. Meat was juicy and tasty, as it should be if the cows are fed the right diet. I know this because I was in 4H as a kids so trust when I say i know. Fries were tender and clean. Meaning the grease wasn’t so overpowering that it coated and left an after taste. Overall I dug this place and would say 4.5 out of 5 forks.

So on Sunday a friend and I went to grab brunch in the up and coming Dyckman area. Now if you know anything about the city you know that about 5 years ago NO ONE went above 140 for living or food. However like all things, it’s changed thanks to gentrification so there are lots of spots cropping up and it’s the place to live. So my friend recommended a place called papsitos right on the corner of Dyckman and Broadway. They offer a brunch buffet and unlimited mimosas for 1.5 hours. By all outward appearances it seems like a good spot and they offer outdoor seating for summer time. Inside its packed tightly so be prepared not to have much wiggle room. I got the mangu and some fruits from the buffet, while my compatriot got eggs benedict, French toast and some other sides along with mimosas. The food wasn’t all that bad, however they don’t serve COFFEE!!! Like what kind of Spanish food place are you and not serve coffee??? Does your abuela know? So first major drawback, second was personal space allowance.

I’d give this place a 2.5 forks out of 5 as it’s a cute neighborhood spot but the service and presentation needs some serious work. Also they don’t have an official website so you can Yelp them for reviews and photos. It seems that the regular menu fares much better than the brunch, so if you go let me know.

So last night I met up with my work thot for some food and dranks. Although I don’t drink anymore I still ate and was a savage. Its period season so ya’ll women know that means just shovel food as fast as possible into your mouth. So we decided to go to the Liberty (I work right across the street) and invited another old coworker. Course we hashed, browed and burned through gossip.

I ordered the turkey burger with duck fat fries (yea DUCK FAT), my one friend stayed safe with the margarita pizza, and the other ordered a Thai beef salad. The burger was made with a chipotle mayo and had standard toppings with a side salad. The turkey was seasoned and moist, which if anyone has made ground turkey knows that’s hard to do. The fries were liberally coated in chopped garlic (yaaas!). Now being that its shark week (click for reference) one could not be expected to NOT get desert. Enter double chocolate cookies, with ice cream and fudge sauce. Nuff said.

Overall a good place, with a decent selection of food and drinks. Sadly the ambiance was a bit on the louder side but hey after a few Moscow mules who notices! Overall 4 out of 5 forks.